Camera Obscura (Odd-Even Coded Teleportation Cycle Sums Sudoku)
(Published on 4. August 2025, 09:29 by Feadoor)
Cycle Sums: Some clues are given outside the grid. For each clue, number the cells in its row/column from 1 to 9, starting with the cell nearest the clue. Starting from the first cell, go to the Xth cell, where X is the number in the first cell, then go to the Yth cell, where Y is the number in the Xth cell, and so on, until you end up back at the first cell. The clue indicates the sum of the digits in the cells visited in this way.
Odd-Even Coded: Odd digits in clues have been replaced by the symbol O. Even digits in clues have been replaced by the symbol E. Leading zeroes in two-digit numbers are not allowed.
Some examples of fulfilled Cycle Sums clues are supplied in a separate grid. These are not related to the puzzle.
Solution code: Column 4, top to bottom
Comments
on 11. August 2025, 19:53 by skuntsel
Well, one of the cleverest men once said that science is not free, you have to pay attention. This setting reminded me of that, and it seems that our puzzles are the same, you must pay attention, as this astonishing puzzle will easily lead you astray and will have you question sanity if you don’t.
I’ve always wondered why we were taught Lebesgue integration, but it definitely seems that it gives you the proper ammunition to crack puzzles like these open. This is one of a kind puzzle, which is very reminiscent of a discovery, given that almost no information is given. Mid-solve interaction (all double-digit clues are doing wonders, but row 3 and its conjunction with column 5 is simply out of this world, just pure number magic) is just stunning, and you are being flummoxed how one could even come up with this.
And then you recall that this is Sam, and that he is among the few people endowed with the rarest of gifts to produce something so astounding and pure, bordering the possible. For all of us to enjoy. Thank you for this construction and take a bow, Sam! Thank you for getting back to setting (in the public at least) as well!
on 6. August 2025, 04:11 by prodigis
That just kept surprising me over and over again
on 5. August 2025, 12:37 by Fool on Hill
It took a long time, but there was some very clever stuff in this puzzle. The mid solve was astonishing.
on 5. August 2025, 10:12 by Piatato
Very fascinating!
on 4. August 2025, 20:39 by Niverio
Some very lovely interactions in the opening and the mid solve had some mind-blowing eliminations!
on 4. August 2025, 16:22 by bansalsaab
Tough solve. Some combinations had to be checked. Very satisfying in the end
